For more information on how your jurisdiction can address racial inequity and implement Racial Impact Tools, please see the Local and Regional Government Alliance on Race and Equity: http://racialequityalliance.org/

For more information on how cities use Racial Impact Tools, Seattle’s Race and Justice Initiative program is a helpful example of how a city integrates racial equity into their operations and processes: http://www.seattle.gov/rsji/

Proposed legislation in New Hampshire, while limiting the ability to obtain new military grade equipment does not call for restricting the use of previously purchased military grade equipment. Potential legislation may benefit from such a provision:http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2014/HB1307.html

Beyond Policy

The peacemaking program at the Red Hook Community Justice Center uses traditional Native American practices to resolve disputes that originate in either the justice system (in the form of a court case) or in the community. Peacemaking sessions, which are facilitated by trained peacemakers from the community, are designed to enable those affected by the dispute to “talk it out” and reach a consensus agreement for restitution and repair: http://www.courtinnovation.org/project/peacemaking-program

The International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) works with licensees and affiliates around the world to make certain restorative practices are presented in a culturally appropriate manner and that programs are affordable and sustainable within the framework of local needs and resources: http://www.iirp.edu/

The Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth Program works to mitigate the consequences of punitive school and juvenile justice policies by promoting institutional shifts toward restorative approaches that actively engage families, communities, and systems to repair harm and prevent re-offending: http://www.rjoyoakland.org

Audre Lorde Project’s The Safe Neighborhood Campaign seeks to empower community members to be proactive in preventing anti-LGBTST violence, intervene when violent situations arise, and build stronger relationships between LGBTST people of color, our allies and the community as a whole: http://alp.org/community/sos

CURE Violence is a state supported program which seeks to use community members to deter and deescalate violent situations in communities. Many organizations have noted that once programs are state-sponsored they may be co-opted or include undesirable punitive consequences: http://cureviolence.org/

Statistics

Did you know that 76% of former prisoners are re-arrested within 5 years?

That’s why we follow our clients for 5 years after their release from prison.

U.S. prison population

The U.S. prison population recently hit the 1.8 million mark and that’s just counting those in prison or jail. Throw in parolees and probationers and the combined number of people under some form of correctional supervision rises to nearly 6 million, an estimated one out of every 38 adults.

“I have visited some of the best and the worst prisons and have never seen signs of coddling, but I have seen the terrible results of the boredom and frustration of empty hours and pointless existence.” — former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger